Torah Way North London becomes a Daily Shiur

By Jonathan Stern

London, 14/06/2006

Rabbi Mordechai Fein Shlita - a regular contributor to the Start The Day The Torah Way in North London - expounds on the virtue of a daily dose of learning before going out to work

King Solomon says in Koheles (Ch. 7, v.8)  “טוב אחרית דבר מראשיתו”- as explained in the Jerusalemite Talmud that the beginning of any project lays the foundation and is the pivotal force behind it.  It requires much thought and contemplation but we cannot delay initiating since the opportunities will slip away.  A “ נחשון “ approach, like the Prince of the tribe of Yehuda Nachshon Ben Aminodov, who jumped into the Reed Sea first, is sometimes necessary since otherwise the יצר הרע steps in and gives too many convincing arguments not to begin.  The greater the קדושה involved, the more we are standing to gain in Torah - the stronger the resistance of the יצר הרע, which explains why כל התחלות קשות – all beginnings are hard and difficult (Mechilta on Parshas Yisro).  The יצר הרע cannot fathom the thought of new projects increasing מלכות שמים and therefore puts in extra efforts to thwart the plans.  But once you overcome the initial opposition from the יצר הרע there is a special סייעתא דשמיא – help from Above, and you are bound to succeed.  

Our Sages said: any commandment that was accepted in the beginning with love had staying power with the Jewish nation.  E.g. performing Circumcision on all male newborns was accepted with total love and joy, so until this day we see that even estranged Jews will still perform the circumcision ceremony with enthusiasm and true interest.  The opposite holds true as well.  The initial concept of only marrying permissible parties was met with opposition – as it says in this week’s Parsha: “and they – Israel -were crying with their families” (Bemidbar Ch. 11, v.10), which is explained as crying over the new laws of familial relationships and therefore until today there is always some heartbreak involved in a marriage, in some form or another (Talmud Tractate Shabbos (Folio 130, p.1) and in Midrash Sifri).

The Ponovizher Rov when inaugurating his world-famous Yeshiva in Benei Beraq did not make a grand ceremony but rather recited Psalms.  Upon reflection, an assumption can be made, which might explain his seemingly uncharacteristic behaviour.  Just as when taking out the Holy Scrolls for the Torah Reading it is a time of clemency for the congregation, as is brought down in the Holy Zohar (Vayakhel) - so too when there is any “opening of the Holy Ark” – such as opening a Yeshiva to promulgate public Torah learning - there too is a “time of clemency. And that is the opportunity that the Ponovizher Rov wanted to utilise to the utmost. Beginnings have an extra measure of שעת רחמים - a time for clemency, and increased סייעתא דשמיא – help from Above. 

But let us not forget that it is not only the beginning that is so important, the continuity as well is vital for the success.  Unfortunately, too often projects will start off well - only to die out a slow death.  That is not the דרך התורה – the Torah Way!  Torah is referred to in many instances as"הליכה" -  “Going”, as it says "אם בחוקותי תלכו" – “whither in my laws you will trod”, or בהתהלכך תנחה אותך"” - “whence you will go in Her ways (of the Torah) She will guide you”, and "הוי כל צמא לכו למים" – “behold, whomever is thirsty go forth to the waters [of Torah]”.  Torah is a “walking process” - it is achieved with a consistent, continuous approach.  The idea is to attend the Shiurim constantly – without a break.  An example: someone running towards a goal may get to his destination faster but will have to take many breaks.  On the other hand, someone walking can continue for hours without a break, eventually reaching his destination in full form. To illustrate this point even further, let’s take a person who is fasting for twenty four hours consecutively cannot be judged against someone who fasts in shifts of two twelve hour stints with a ten minute break in between.  The former has fasted one long unbroken lap of twenty four hours, whilst the latter who fasted twice twelve hour periods – totalling twenty four hours, has not reached the aim altogether. 

And that is one of the key strengths of “The Torah Way” - it is continuous.  Whether it may be a Sunday, Monday a Bank Holiday or summer holidays – there is always that input.  And that is ultimately what HaShem wants: A constant and continuous focus on Torah-Learning – through “starting the day the Torah way”.

The above is an extract of Rabbi Mordechai Fein’s inaugural Shiur on the occasion of the first Shiur of the daily programme on Friday 9^th June ‘06.  (The full Shiur can be heard on Kol HaLoshon’s dedicated Torah Way North London channel, Shiur Number 63).